How to Hand Carve a Wooden Crochet Hook

Hand-carved crochet hooks are not only a thoughtful gift for the ardent crocheter, but can also be financially rewarding, given their popularity on auction websites. Even beginning carvers can make a decent crochet hook with a bit of concentration and effort. Those more advanced in the craft can add decorative touches to their finished project.

Things You'll Need

• Hardwood dowel
• Fine tip felt marker
• Woodcarving knife
• Fine blade saw
• Sandpaper
• Finishing wax or oil

Instructions

Preparation

1. Cut the dowel down until it is approximately 8 inches long using the fine-toothed saw.

2. Find the grain of the wood and use the fine tip marker to draw along the grain down the center of one end of the dowel.

3. Turn the dowel so the line you just drew is facing you horizontally. Using the marker again, make two dots vertically--one on either side of the long portion of the end of the dowel facing you, approximately 1/2 inch from the end of the dowel on each side. The two dots should be perpendicular to the line you just drew.

4. Draw a curved line from one dot to the other on the long side of the dowel. This shows where the lip of the crochet hook will be cut on the dowel.

5. 

   The lines that will form the throat and bowl of the hook should resemble a deep smile.

   Form the "throat" and bowl of the hook. Draw a line from each side of the lip marking at a 45-degree angle, curving upward until these two lines meet in the middle on top of the long side of the dowel. The drawing on the dowel should now resemble a deep smile.

Cutting and Finishing

1. Carve the lip, throat and bowl of the hook.

2. Round the head and base of the hook by making shallow strokes with the knife.

3. Smooth the ends and throat of the hook with the sandpaper. Smooth the lip just enough that it will not snag on yarn during use.

4. Add decorative carvings along the shaft of the hook now if you are an experienced carver. Keep in mind that the user will be holding the shaft in her hand, so don't make your carvings too sharp.

5. Apply your choice of finish in a well-ventilated area. If you use wax, be prepared to reapply it from time to time.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain control of your carving strokes by holding the thumb of your dominant hand against the back of the knife blade, then pushing that thumb with the thumb of your non-dominant hand as you carve.

• Make a larger diameter crochet hook for your first project, such as sizes L through Q. It will be easier to get a feel for how deeply to cut the lip of the hook.

• Hooks smaller than size H are generally not good wood-carving candidates because they can break more easily, both while carving and during later use.

References

• "How to Hand-Carve a Wooden Crochet Hook," Carolyn Christmas; (2004)